There have been a few warmer days here recently (~80 degrees) and I've noticed that it takes a very long time for the cabin to cool down, even with the AC on Auto Lo. Is this normal? I have a few trips planned next week but it may hit 100 degrees and I don't want to be uncomfortable in the car.

 

The AC is a little bit on the weak side as compared to "normal" cars, but better than it was in the first gen cars. One key is that if you park your car in the sun, you really need a sun screen shielding the dash. The shallow angle of the windshield and depth of the dash makes the dash one big heat sink that acts like a heater that counteracts the AC and makes it hard to cool the car down.

 

Heatshieldstore.com has one that has good reviews. They have two different models, one for the V12V and one for the V8V. I know my Vantage S shares some panels with the V12V - which one should I order?

 

I believe the windshields are the same. If so, it shouldn't make a difference. I have a generic screen and just lay it over the dash, which is the most important purpose served by the screen IMO. Also, I don't know if this issue has been resolved on the newer cars, but it is a known issue for the leather to shrink and peel off of the dash near the vents due to sun exposure.

 

I have not found the A/C lacking except on very hot days. I have a Black 2009 Vantage and only once on a 96 degree day did I experience where the A/C had to work hard to keep up. Now issues when I have been in the high 80s and low 90s. You may need to have the dealer check out your system.

 

Ditto for me. The AC is solid in my car (and I need it more than ever since I installed the cats). Would definitely have it checked out altho, since your car is basically new, it would surprise me if there was an issue.

 

I don't know about those heatshields, but they look pretty crappy in quality. If you want a really high quality one, this is the one that I bought and it is of very high quality. It is made of a stiff material and felt-lined on the edges to protect your dash. When properly installed it seals almost all light coming in from the windshield. It folds like an accordion and fits perfectly on top of the rear parcel shelf behind the seats when not in use. I bought the optional storage back to slip it into when I'm not using it.

Autosport Ultraviolet Heat Shield

P.S. The a/c in my car cools just fine in the scorching Florida heat. The only complaint I would have is that the seat back in my car gets pretty hot. So much so that I thought the seat warmer was accidentally staying on so I unplugged it. It didn't make a difference. I can't understand why it gets so warm there. It's not a mid-engine car like my Esprit, but it seems to be warmer. The air coming from the vents is nice and cool though.

 

Do you feel the 200 cell cats made your cabin hotter?

 

Regarding cats, high flow cats= cooler car.
A/C works fine with recirculation on... Even in my 07

 

No A/C issues for me but it hasn't hit 90s plus here yet. My old V8V had no issues during the hot months either.

 

I've had very few concerns with A/C on V8V or even DB9..main fault I've had is the wrong ambient temp is displayed(colder) and the A/C would heat the vehicle when on Lo for it see's subzero temps outside..

Another thing I've seen, but for V8 Vantage: C00001 thru D13429, there is a updated cam gear for the HVAC unit, HVAC to cool vehicle better, but after the cut-off VIN all vehicle should have the revised cam gear..your car is a 2012 so it should have the updated cam gear to make things cooler..if you noticed after D13429 the floor vents are to cold, the older cam gear can be ordered and fitted

 

Really? You have cats and found the car cooler after getting them on?? Exact opposite of my experience.

Awesome tip on that sun shield! Inexpensive and well made, perfect combo. Ordering one right now.

And the reason your seats get hot ... the cats sit right underneath them.

When I first drove home after installing the cats I was at the heat coming off the car. It was like someone had installed a mini foundry under my car. I could feel the heat bubbling up in waves on my arm as I had it resting on the sill with the window open. And my seat was _on fire_. I had to run the AC all the way home.

It seems to have improved a bit since the install and my understanding from speaking to a couple of tuners in my area is that a) this is common and b) once the cats get a bit of carbon deposit built up then it decreases the heat. I was also told that exahust wrap will help but then heard it smells kinda bad when hot so I didn't bother with it.

 

It's weak, don't use AUTO, put it down to the 60's and the fan to at least half way. Auto causes it to turn off and on when its still not cool enough.

 

Good point. I actually never use Auto as I don't like how it blasts the fan on full.

 

Do you have the newer part number handy, by any chance? I have an '06 in that range, and I'm not blown away by the AC (pardon the pun). Anywhere to order it other than from the dealer (not opposed to that, just curious).

Thanks!